章 43: Chapter 43: The Week leading to the Gala
The week following the car reveal passed in a blur of activity and progress, each day meticulously packed with training, strategy meetings, and personal milestones. The season was drawing closer, and the pressure was mounting, but I was beginning to feel like I could handle it all.
Morning Routine: System Tasks and Gym with Marcus
Every morning started the same way, waking up to the system's familiar voice delivering my daily tasks.
"Good morning, Rookie. Time to get better. Daily tasks are ready," it announced.
The list popped into my mind:
• 20 pull-ups (+2 Strength).
• 3-mile run (+3 Endurance).
• 10 minutes reaction training (+2 Reflexes).
After completing my tasks in my home gym, the system chimed in as usual.
"+2 Strength, +3 Endurance, +2 Reflexes. Steady progress, Rookie. At this rate, you might just survive this season."
I rolled my eyes. "Glad to have your confidence."
By 6:30 a.m., I was at ART's training center for my daily gym session with Marcus. He had ramped up my workouts, pushing me harder than ever to build the stamina and strength needed for the season.
"You're starting to show some real gains," Marcus said as I finished a set of weighted squats. "Look at this," he added, gesturing to my arms. "You're actually looking like a professional athlete now."
"Gee, thanks," I said, wiping sweat from my brow.
"It's a compliment," Marcus replied with a laugh. "But don't let it get to your head. We've got more work to do."
After the gym, I always met Olivia for our daily debriefs. She'd usually have a coffee in one hand and her tablet in the other, already several steps ahead of me on the day's schedule.
"Alright, here's what we've got today," she began. "Morning strategy session with Laurent, afternoon track practice, and a media call at 4:00 p.m."
"Anything from Lamborghini?" I asked.
"Nothing major," she replied. "They're just checking in, but they've been pretty hands-off since the deal. Looks like they trust you to perform."
I nodded. "Good. Let's keep it that way."
My time working with Laurent was becoming increasingly productive. Over the past week, we'd fine-tuned the car setup, experimenting with everything from tire pressures to suspension stiffness. His precision and my growing ability to communicate what I felt on the track made us an efficient team.
"Henry, you're getting better at describing the car's behavior," Laurent said during one of our sessions. "This makes my job much easier."
"It's all about practice," I replied, reviewing telemetry data on a tablet. "The more laps I get, the better I understand what's happening out there."
In addition to Laurent, I'd been spending more time with Luca. Despite our different backgrounds and experiences, we were beginning to click.
"You're improving faster than I thought," Luca said after a practice session.
"I'll take that as a compliment," I replied.
"Good," he said with a smirk. "Just don't get too comfortable. I still plan on beating you this season."
The banter was lighthearted, but it marked a shift in our relationship. We were becoming teammates in the truest sense, and that chemistry was starting to show on the track.
Since the car reveal, I'd been texting Taryn almost every day. Our conversations ranged from her work as a designer to my life as a driver. She was witty, curious, and always had a way of making me laugh, even on stressful days.
Midweek, I decided to ask her out on a proper date.
"Pick you up at 7?" I texted.
"Sure. Should I be nervous about riding in the Gallardo?" she replied.
"Only if you're not a fan of speed," I teased.
When Friday evening came, I pulled up outside her apartment in the Gallardo, the engine's purr echoing down the street. She stepped out wearing a simple yet elegant dress, her strawberry-blonde hair falling in soft waves.
"You clean up well," she said with a grin as she slid into the passenger seat.
"Likewise," I replied.
We drove to a quiet Italian restaurant I'd discovered during my first week in France. Over dinner, we talked about everything, her love for design, my journey to F2, and even the pressures we both faced in our careers.
Toward the end of the evening, I decided to bring up the gala.
"So, there's this event next week," I began. "The driver gala. It's a big deal, and I can bring a plus one."
She raised an eyebrow. "Are you asking me?"
"Yes," I said, meeting her gaze.
She hesitated. "I don't know, Henry. That sounds…intimidating."
"It's just a bunch of drivers in fancy clothes," I said with a smile. "And me. You'd be doing me a favor by coming."
After a moment, she sighed and smiled. "Alright. I'll go. But only because you're convincing."
"Perfect," I said, already planning what to wear.
The rest of the week was a blur of preparation. My workouts with Marcus grew even more intense, with a focus on reflex drills and endurance.
"You're reacting faster," Marcus said as I completed a series of light-box drills. "That's going to pay off on the track."
"Good," I said, catching my breath. "Because Luca's not going to let me slack off."
Olivia, as always, was a whirlwind of efficiency. She'd coordinated every detail of my schedule, including fitting in Lamborghini obligations and prepping for the gala.
"You're officially juggling two careers now," she said one morning. "But you're handling it well."
"Thanks to you," I replied.
The system continued to challenge me every day, but I was beginning to see the results. My attribute points were climbing steadily, and the workouts felt less daunting than they had a month ago.
"+3 Reflexes, +2 Endurance. Keep at it, Rookie. The season is almost here," the system said after a particularly grueling task.
"Almost ready," I thought to myself.
As the week came to an end, I couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and nerves. The gala was just days away, and the first race was fast approaching. But for the first time, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
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